Textile exporters uncertain about orders

The value added textile sector has just started benefiting from the decline in Indian value added exports after a sharp appreciation of the Indian rupee, but the local industry is now confronted with the threat to even regular exports after the state of emergency in the country.

It is notable that the garment and knitwear exporters had made timely deliveries in the past even during the peak of US-led war in Afghanistan. Manufacturing activities in Pakistan continued without interruption irrespective of the political and social upheaval, however the foreign buyers were not prepared to take any risk.

Leading garment and knitwear exporter M I Khurram said the state of emergency would severely hamper exports of garments and knitwear. The main reason, he said, was that the final inspection of garments was done by foreign quality assurance experts appointed by the buyers.

The importers do not accept goods without quality assurance certification by their designated experts and as a result shipments are being delayed. He warned if the internal situation in Pakistan did not improve, the orders for value added textiles would be shifted to other countries.